The Stig talks to business leaders about road safety

Stuart Anderson

LETTER OF THE DAY: Claws out over Santa

THE importance of road safety was hammered home at a conference attended by the original Top Gear star ‘The Stig’.

The Blue Lamp Trust’s annual conference brought together more than 100 business leaders to highlight the need for businesses to ensure their employees, and other people, are safe on the road.

Perry McCarthy, former Formula One driver and the first Stig for the BBC’s flagship motors programme, was the keynote speaker and stressed the need for concentration while driving.

Firefighters from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service gave a live demonstration of people being cut out a car wreck and experts from Paris Smith law firm, based in Southampton, relayed the chilling realities of what could happen to company directors who don’t comply to the necessary legal work when it comes to their employees driving.

Blue Lamp Trust general manager Mark Bradford said: ‘Days like today are vital in our mission to make Hampshire’s roads a safer place.

‘It gives business owners and directors a chance to see and hear first hand what could happen if they don’t do everything possible to ensure the safety of their staff and other road users.

‘Simple steps such as running Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency checks on new staff or enrolling employees in driver training programmes can keep directors on the right side of the law and make the roads a safer place.’

Mr McCarthy added: ‘When you’re a racing car driver you have to constantly assess the risks. It’s exactly the same for businesses when it comes to their staff using cars for work.

‘The work of The Blue Lamp Trust, along with the police and fire authorities, to raise awareness of this is commendable.

‘I echo the trust’s message that company directors should do everything in their power to ensure their staff are safe on the road.’

The Blue Lamp Trust was set up by the Fire and Rescue Service and the police to promote safety in the community.